Joining of containers

ABSTRACT

A process for joining together connecting parts of at least two containers which contain fluids at identical or different pressures, in an ambient fluid with a pressure that is lower than that of at least one of the containers, while preventing the ambient fluid to be introduced into one container, comprising the steps of first liberating the fluid of the container with a pressure higher than that of the ambient fluid, while effecting coupling of the connecting parts, and subsequently driving out the ambient fluid from the empty spaces between the connecting parts.

United States Patent [1 1 De Visscher Dec. 11, 1973 JOINING OFCONTAINERS Patrick M. De Visscher, rue du Bois Imperial 16, Maransart,Belgium Filed: May 22, 1972 Appl. No.1 255,465

Inventor:

Foreign Application Priority Data May 27, 1971 Belgium 103,926 Apr. 28,1972 Belgium 116,984

US. Cl 137/1, 137/614, 251/149.6, 137/614.04

Int. Cl. Fl7d 1/00, F16135/00 Field of Search 137/614.02, 614.03,137/614.04, 1-15, 614, 614.01, 614.05, 614.06, 63R;251/149,149.1,149.6,149.9

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Wrenn Main, Jr. et a1. 137/614.03

2,456,045 12/1948 Brock 137/614.03 2,498,104 2/1950 Brandau et al.137/614.03 2,254,997 9/1941 Fisher 137/614.03 2,505,093 4/1950 Brock137/614.03 X

Primary Examiner-Samuel Scott Assistant Examiner-Ira S. LazarusAttorneyEric 1-1. Waters et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A process for joining together connecting parts of atleast two containers which contain fluids at identical or differentpressures, in an ambient fluid with a pressure that is lower than thatof at least one of the containers, while preventing the ambient fluid tobe introduced into one container, comprising the steps of firstliberating the fluid of the container with a pressure higher than thatof the ambient fluid, while effecting coupling of the connecting parts,and subsequently driving out the ambient fluid from the empty spacesbetween the connecting parts.

1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures JOINING OF CONTAINERS The joining, in anambient fluid, of two containers containing fluids at identical ordifferent pressures has always posed a problem. One of the difficultiesconsists in particular in completely eliminating the ambient fluid whichtends to occupy, the empty spaces which may exist between the parts ofthe junction.

This problem confronts in particular persons engaging in submarinediving, for whom it would be easier, when the supply of compressed airhas been exhausted, to connect themselves to a new cylinder whileremaining under the water without having to return to the surface.

The present invention relates to a process for effecting the joining ofat least two containers which contain fluids at identical or differentpressures, in an ambient fluid the pressure of which is lower than thepressure of at least one of the containers, while making it impossiblefor the ambient fluid to be introduced into one of the containers. Forthis purpose, during the coupling of the parts of the junction, thefluid of the container with a pressure higher than that of the ambientfluid is first liberated so as to drive out the ambient fluid from anyempty spaces which may exist between the parts of the junction.

The accompanying drawings illustrate by way of example one exemplaryembodiment for practicing the invention, applied to a junction intendedfor connection under an ambient fluid, e.g. water, of a source ofrespiratory gas, such as a container of compressed air or other gas, toa pipe ending in a breathing mouthpiece for a submarine diver, withoutit being possible for water to penetrate into said pipe while anexhausted container is being replaced by a charged container.

In the drawings, constituting axial sections ofa junction,

FIG. 1 shows the two connectingparts in the uncoupled condition;

FIG. 2 shows them during the coupling of these parts;

and

FIG. 3 shows them after they have been coupled.

The exemplary junction for practicing the inventive process comprisessubstantially a first connecting part I mounted on a compressed gascontainer (not illustrated), a secondconnecting part 2 fastened to apipe 3 which may be provided with a mouthpiece, and also means forcoupling these two parts together, such as a sleeve 4.

Each connecting part 1 and 2 is constituted by a bottom portion 51, 52and a top portion 61, 62, these portions enclosing between them acylindrical portion containing a piston 71, 72 adapted to move betweenthe bottom portion and the top portion and to be pushed towards thelatter'by a spring 81, 82. The spring 82 has greater resistance tocompression than the spring 81.

' Front portions 91 and 92 of the top portions 61, 62 are intended tocooperate during the joining of the connection parts 1 and 2 and areprovided internally with a conical portion serving as a stop for asealing ring received in a grooveprovided on the piston 71, 72.

On the outside the front portions 91 and 92 are shaped differently so asto be able to engage one in the other on the coupling of the parts 1 and2, and one of these portions, in this specific'case the portion 92, isprovided with a groove in which is held a sealing ring llwhich, when theparts 1 and 2 are coupled together (FIGS. 2 and 3), is pressed against aconical face 12 on the'portion 91.

Between the fronts of the piston 71 and 72 is disposed a longitudinalpin 13 which is fastened to one of the pistons and adapted to come intocontact with the other piston.

The sleeve 4 is provided with ports 14 in its cylindrical portion, andat one end has a portion 15 bearing against a corresponding bearingsurfaceon the head portion 62 (or 61), and at the other end an internalscrew thread 16 adapted to engage on a screw thread 17 on the headportion 61 (or 62).

The connecting parts 51 and 52 are in addition provided with rings 18and 19 which are necessary to provide a seal on the one hand between theportions 51, 52 and the portions 61, 62, and on the other hand betweenthe portions 51 and the container holding the respiratory gas underpressure, and between the portion 52 and the pipe 3 provided with amouthpiece.

When the parts 1 and 2 are uncoupled (FIG. 1), the springs 81, 82 pressthe heads of the pistons 71, 72 against the front portions 91, 92, thuspreventing the compressed gas from passing out of the part 1, and alsopreventing the entry into the part 2 of water which constitutes theambient fluid.

The force of the springs, more particularly of spring 82, must beadjusted to withstand the pressure of the ambient fluid and tocorrespond during submarine work to the water pressure due to theimmersion depth. In the case of the part 1, the pressure of the spring81 applied to the piston 71 is supported by the pressure of thecompressed respiratory gas, which in turn must be higher than the waterpressure.

During the coupling of the parts 1 and 2 by means of the sleeve 4, emptyspaces 20 (FIG. 2) are formed between the front portions 91 and 92.These spaces are filled with the ambient fluid, which in the case ofsubmarine work is water and material suspended in water. After the firstturns of the internal screw thread 16 have been engaged on the screwthread 17, the heads of the pistons have been moved towards one anotherso that the pin 13, fixed longitudinally on the head of the piston 71,bears against the head of the piston 72.

When the sleeve is screwed further onto the part 1, the pin 13 causesthe piston 71 to move. back, the spring 81 offering less resistance tocompression than the spring 82. Consequently, a passage through ports 21in the piston 71 is opened for the compressed gas, and the latterspreads into the empty spaces 20 and drives out the ambient fluidthrough the ports 40 in the sleeve 4, as shown by arrows 22 (FIG. 2).

After the piston 71 has borne against the bottom portion 51, the pin 13can act on the piston 72 to force it in turn to move back and to allowthe gas to pass towards 'the mouthpiece through ports 23, as shown byarrows 24 (FIG. 3).

In submarine diving the junction according to the invention provides theadvantage that the diver can remain under water while replacing anexhausted compressed gas cylinder by a charged cylinder. The effectiveworking time is increased because he can avoid at least onedecompression period.

For submarine work in a fixed position and at a slight depth, such as inpearl culture parks, it is possible to supply compressed air to theworking stations by means of a permanently fixed pipe provided with oneor more connecting parts 1, enabling the diver to connect himat leasttwo containers which contain fluids at identical or different pressures,in an ambient fluid with a pressure that is lower than that of at leastone of the containe rs, while preventing the ambient fluid to beintroduced into one of said containers, comprising the steps of firstliberating the fluid of the container with a pressure higher than thatof the ambient fluid, while effecting coupling of said connecting parts,and subsequently driving out the ambient fluid from the empty spacesbetween said connecting parts.

1. A process for joining together connecting parts of at least twocontainers which contain fluids at identical or different pressures, inan ambient fluid with a pressure that is lower than that of at least oneof the containers, while preventing the ambient fluid to be introducedinto one of said containers, comprising the steps of first liberatingthe fluid of the container with a pressure higher than that of theambient fluid, while effecting coupling of said connecting parts, andsubsequently driving out the ambient fluid from the empty spaces betweensaid connecting parts.